Alcohol and Tobacco

Alcohol

What is an alcoholic beverage?

The term “alcoholic beverages” is defined in Code of Virginia § 4.1-100 as including “alcohol,
spirits, wine, and beer, and any one or more of such varieties containing one-half of one
percent or more of alcohol by volume, including mixed alcoholic beverages, and every liquid
or solid, powder or crystal, patented or not, containing alcohol, spirits, wine, or beer and capable of being
consumed by a human being.” Crystallized alcohol is also included in this catgory and is also illegal.

At what age am I allowed to drink alcohol?

Age 21. It is illegal for any person under the age of 21 to purchase, possess, or attempt to
purchase or possess any alcoholic beverage. (Code of Virginia § 4.1-305)

At what age am I allowed to buy alcohol?

Age 21. It is illegal for any person under the age of 21 to purchase, possess, or attempt to purchase or possess any alcoholic beverage. (Code of Virginia § 4.1-305)

What is the penalty for someone under 21 possessing or purchasing alcohol?

According to Code of Virginia §§§ 4.1-305 (c), 16.1-278.9 and 16.1-278.8

It is illegal for anyone under 21 to possess any alcoholic beverage. Violators are guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor and, face a fine of up to $2,500 and/or a year in jail if convicted. At a minimum, the court will order a mandatory minimum fine of $500 or a mandatory 50 hours of community service and suspend the driver’s license or deny driving privileges for not less than six months. The court may also order substance abuse education, counseling and treatment.

What if a law enforcement officer finds alcohol in my possession?

He or she may confiscate the alcohol and charge you with being in violation of §4.1-305 of the
Code of Virginia, which makes it illegal for any person under the age of 21 to purchase, possess,
or attempt to purchase or possess any alcoholic beverage.

Can I drink at home as long as it’s okay with my parents?

Virginia’s Alcohol Beverage Control law allows a person to keep and possess lawfully acquired
alcoholic beverages in his residence for his personal use or that of his family. It is illegal for
your parents to serve alcohol to guests in their home unless the guests are 21 years of age
or older or are accompanied by a parent, guardian, or spouse who is 21 years of age or older.
(Code of Virginia § 4.1-200 (7))

Note the restrictions for anyone under 21 years:

a. in the residence and

b. accompanied by a parent.

Anyone, including your parents, who purchases for, or otherwise gives, provides, or assists in the
provision of alcoholic beverages to another person knowing that the person is less than 21 years
of age is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. If convicted, the court may order jail time for up to 12
months and/or a fine of up to $2,500. (Code of Virginia § 4.1-306 (A1))

What if someone else gives me alcohol or buys it for me?

It is illegal for any person to purchase for, or otherwise give, provide, or assist in providing
alcoholic beverages for another person whom they know to be less than 21 years of age. This
is a Class 1 misdemeanor and, if convicted, the court may order jail time for up to 12 months
and/or a fine of up to $2,500. (Code of Virginia § 4.1-306.(A1))

What if I use a fake ID to buy alcohol?

Using a fake ID to establish a false identity or false age to purchase alcoholic beverages is a Class
1 misdemeanor and, upon conviction, you can face a fine of up to $2,500 and/or one year in jail
and a minimum $500 fine or 50 hours of community service, and can lose your driver’s license for
up to one year. (Code of Virginia § 4.1-305)

Can I get in trouble for having a fake ID?

Yes. It is illegal to possess, manufacture, use, or sell an altered/false driver’s license or military
or university identification. It is also illegal to loan your driver’s license or identification card
to another person. Persons who possess, use, or distribute fake IDs are charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor (Code of Virginia § 18.2-204.1)

What if I drink and drive?

As part of a “Zero Tolerance” policy, Virginia has enacted some of
the toughest laws in the United States for minors caught driving
under the influence of alcohol. Under Code of Virginia § 18.2-266.1,
it is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to operate a motor
vehicle after illegally consuming alcohol. A violation is a Class 1 misdemeanor. Punishment includes loss of your driver’s license for
one year from the date of conviction and a mandatory minimum
fine of $500 or having to perform a minimum of 50 hours of
community service.

What if I take alcohol to school?

The school is required by law to notify the local law enforcement agency when any student has
committed certain offenses, including any conduct involving alcohol. (Code of Virginia § 22.1-
279.3:1 (D))

You will be subject to both school disciplinary action and criminal action. This means you may be
suspended from school and be required to go to court to face criminal charges.
Anyone (whether an adult or a minor) possessing or consuming alcohol on public school property
can face a fine of up to $1,000 and six months of jail time. (Code of Virginia § 4.1-309)

What happens if a store sells beer to someone under age 21?

Under Virginia law, the clerk (seller/server) and the establishment with the license to sell alcohol
(licensee) are penalized. The seller/server can receive up to $2,500 fine and/or up to 12 months in
jail. For a first time offense, a licensee can be penalized up to $2,000 and/or have their ABC license
revoked. (Code of Virginia §§ 4.1-304 and 4.1-305)

If someone sells alcohol to a person under the age of 21 and does not require that individual to provide bona fide evidence of legal age, the seller will be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor. (Code of Virginia § 4.1-304 (B))

Why are there laws prohibiting use of alcohol? It’s legal for adults. Why not teens?

Underage drinking is recognized as a major health and safety threat to youth. According to the
U.S. Surgeon General:

underage drinking is a major cause of death from injuries among young people -- from vehicle
crashes, homicides and suicide, to falls, burns, and drowning.

Underage drinking increases the risk of committing or being the victim of a physical assault or
sexual assault.

Underage drinking plays a role in risky sexual activity.

But isn’t drinking something teens do as a “rite of passage” and part of
having a good time?

Many people are unaware of the health and safety risks and
think that underage drinking is a “rite of passage.” Tragically,
many young people don’t survive this rite.

According to the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation
(PIRE), underage drinking is involved in:

24 percent of fatal motor vehicle crashes;

8 percent of non-fatal motor vehicle crashes;

30 percent of fatal drownings;

30 percent of fatal burns;

41 percent of homicides;

43 percent of sexual assaults;

37 percent of other assaults;

9 percent of suicides;

20 percent of risky sex behavior; and

24 percent of property crimes.

What if I am with someone who has drunk so much he or she may need medical attention?

Seek help immediately. Unfortunately, it is sometimes possible for someone to have a life-threatening physical reaction to drugs or alcohol: this is known as an overdose. It is critical that someone who is having this sort of reaction get immediate medical attention, as that person may die if left untreated.

Under Code of Virginia § 18.2-251.03, someone who seeks or obtains emergency medical attention for himself or for another individual because of a drug- or alcohol-related overdose
in progress may be protected from being convicted for certain possession or intoxication
crimes if the person reports an overdose to a firefighter, EMS personnel, or a law enforcement officer (most commonly by calling 911 for emergency medical response). To be eligible for this “affirmative defense,” the person reporting the overdose must identify themselves as being the one who reported the overdose, and must be cooperative with any law enforcement investigation that results from the overdose.

What are some strategies for staying “safe and sober?”

Teens have an important role to play in preventing and reducing underage drinking.
Some suggestions:

1. You and your parents can sign what is called a “Contract for Life.” In such a contract, you agree to:

do everything you can to avoid making decisions that jeopardize your health (such as drinking
and driving or riding with someone who has been drinking); and

call your parents if you are ever in a situation that threatens your safety.

Your parents agree to:

provide safe, sober transportation home;

defer discussions about the situation until it can be discussed in a calm and caring manner; and

2. Support underage drinking prevention efforts in your school and community. These might
be sponsored by organizations such as Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), or other
community prevention organizations and coalitions.

3. Learn more strategies by reading some of the publications and visiting the websites listed in the column on the right.

Tobacco

What is tobacco?

Tobacco is a plant whose brown-colored leaves are cured and dried. People can smoke tobacco in cigars, cigarettes, or a pipe. People can also chew tobacco or snort it as snuff.

Is tobacco a drug?

Yes, contrary to what many people believe, tobacco is a drug. By definition, a drug is a nonfood
substance that can cause changes in the function of the body and/or mind. Tobacco leaves contain
a complex mixture of chemicals that affect the body in many ways. Nicotine is one of the main
ingredients in tobacco. It is a drug that occurs naturally in the tobacco leaf, acting paradoxically as
both a stimulant and a depressant. It is the substance that causes the craving for tobacco. Nicotine
can kill a person when taken in high concentrations all at once. Its action on the cardiovascular
system, increasing cardiac output and raising blood pressure, probably contributes to the elevated
risk of cardiovascular mortality in smokers.

At what age am I allowed to smoke or chew tobacco?

Age 18. According to Code of Virginia § 18.2-371.2: “No person less than 18 years of age shall
purchase, attempt to purchase or possess any tobacco product, including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, bidis, rolling papers, nicotine vapor products, and alternative nicotine products.”

At what age am I allowed to buy tobacco?

Age 18. According to Code of Virginia § 18.2-371.2 (B): “No person less than 18 years of age shall
purchase, attempt to purchase or possess any tobacco product, including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, bidis, rolling papers, nicotine vapor products, and alternative nicotine products.”

What are bidis?

Bidis are thin, often flavored, cigarettes from India or South Asia that are made of tobacco wrapped
in a leaf.

Is it legal to vape?

According to Code of Virginia § 18.2-371.2 (B) it is illegal for minors to buy, sell or possess vapor products. This is a Class 4 misdemeanor.

What is the penalty for someone under 18 possessing or purchasing
tobacco?

Violations shall be punishable by a civil penalty not to exceed $100 for the first violation, and
$250 for subsequent violations. In lieu of the civil penalty, a judge may prescribe up to 20 hours
of community service for a first violation and up to 40 hours of community service for a second
violation. (Code of Virginia § 18.2-371.2)

The law prohibiting anyone less than 18 from possessing any tobacco product does not apply to
the possession of tobacco products by persons less than 18 years of age making a delivery of
tobacco products in pursuance of his employment.

What if a store sells tobacco to someone under 18 years of age?

According to Code of Virginia § 18.2-371.2: “No person shall sell to, distribute to, purchase for or
knowingly permit the purchase by any person less than 18 years of age, knowing or having reason
to believe that such person is less than 18 years of age, any tobacco product, including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, bidis, rolling papers, nicotine vapor products, and alternative nicotine products.” Proof that the person demanded, was shown,
and reasonably relied upon a photo identification stating that the individual was at least 18 years
of age as required by law shall be a defense to any action brought under this subsection.

Violation by an individual or a separate retail establishment, except for the sale of bidis, shall be
punishable by a civil penalty not to exceed $100 for the first violation, up to $200 for a second
violation and up to $500 for subsequent violations. If the retail establishment has a youth access
training program, the court shall suspend all penalties. If the court finds that there is no training
program then they may impose a penalty not to exceed $1,000.

What about buying cigarettes from a vending machine?

If you buy cigarettes from a vending machine, you are still in violation of Code of Virginia § 18.2-371.2 (A), which prohibits possession or purchase by anyone less than 18 years of age. Virginia
law says: “Violators shall be punishable by a civil penalty not to exceed $100 for the first violation,
and $250 for subsequent violations.” In lieu of the civil penalty, a judge may prescribe up to 20
hours of community service for a first violation and up to 40 hours of community service for a
second violation.

Vending machines are required to be located in a place that is not open to the general public and
is not generally accessible to minors. A notice must also be posted on the machine indicating that
the purchase or possession of tobacco products by minors is unlawful. Violations are subject to
the same penalties provided for the sale or distribution of tobacco products to minors. (Code of Virginia § 18.2-371.2)

If I work in a store that sells tobacco, am I allowed to sell tobacco?

Yes. Virginia law does not prohibit sale by someone under 18 years of age. (Code of Virginia § 18.2-371.2 (B))

What if a law enforcement officer finds tobacco in my possession?

He or she may confiscate the tobacco and charge you with being in violation of Code of Virginia § 18.2-371.2, which prohibits anyone under 18 years of age from buying or trying to buy, or possessing any tobacco products, including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, bidis, rolling papers, nicotine vapor products, and alternative nicotine products.

I see signs in restaurants and offices that say “Smoke Free.” What will
happen if someone smokes there?

Virginia law limits tobacco use in many public places, schools, and certain restaurants. Anyone
who smokes in a designated no-smoking area and anyone who continues to smoke after being
asked to refrain from smoking is subject to a civil penalty of not more than $25. Any law
enforcement officer may issue a summons for violation of this law. (Code of Virginia § 15.2-2824)

Why are there laws prohibiting use of tobacco? It’s legal for adults. Why not teens?

Smoking is recognized as a major health threat to youth. According to the American Cancer
Society, cigarette smoking causes serious health problems among children and teens, including:

Coughing;

Shortness of breath;

More frequent headaches;

Increased phlegm (mucus);

Respiratory illnesses;

Worse cold and flu symptoms;

Reduced physical fitness;

Poor lung growth and function;

Worse overall health; and

Addiction to nicotine.

But isn’t trying a cigarette something teens do as a “rite of passage?”

Many people don’t realize how quickly a casual experimentation with tobacco can become an
addiction – one that carries with it serious health risks.

A 2011 survey from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that 45 percent of high school students had tried cigarette smoking at some point. From 2011 to 2015, there was a significant decrease in current cigarette use among high school students, from 15.8 percent to 9.3 percent. However, in just one year from 2014 to 2015, the number of middle and high school students using electronic cigarettes increased from 2.46 million to 3 million. In 2015, 25.3 percent of high school kids were current tobacco users – an increase of 2 percent from 2012.

The younger you are when you begin to smoke, the more likely you are to be an adult smoker.
Almost 90 percent of adults who are regular smokers started at or before the age of 19. And
people who start smoking at younger ages are more likely to develop long-term nicotine addiction
than people who start later in life.